How to Become a Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are health care professionals who specialize in treating oral diseases.

Do you enjoy health sciences and working closely with people? Become a dental hygienist in 18 months. Dental hygienists are registered oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and improve overall health.

Your Day To Day Tasks Will Include:

• Prepare for the client’s appointment to ensure safety
• Review a client’s chart and medical history
• Review a client’s current medical status. There are many medical conditions and medications that may influence dental hygiene treatment
• Examine a client’s head and neck for abnormalities
• Examine a client’s tongue, gums, teeth and all other areas of the mouth
• Measure the attachment of the gums to a client’s teeth (probing)
• Record all findings on a client’s chart
• Take prescribed radiographs (x-rays) and interpret them for dental hygiene purposes
• Scale a client’s teeth using hand or mechanical instruments removing hard and soft deposits (plaque and tarter)
• Polish a client’s teeth, if needed, to remove stains

If needed:

• apply fluoride to strengthen teeth
• apply agents to desensitize teeth
• apply pit and fissure sealants to seal grooves for decay prevention
• Provide education during all phases of treatment
• Customize an oral care program for clients. Also, inform and give advice about matters related to a client’s oral health including nutrition, smoking cessation and plaque control and the use of various oral care products